Ingram Micro's Cloud Marketplace Goes Global

Ingram Micro gave its cloud computing business a global boost Monday, unveiling plans to significantly grow its reach across the planet as part of a major expansion of its Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace.

Ingram Micro said Monday that it would open up its cloud business as a worldwide business opportunity for customers that specialize in local Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service-based solutions and are interested in scaling globally. Nimesh Dave, Ingram Micro's executive vice president of global cloud computing, said the move wills help partners accelerate the adoption of cloud services and help them standardize contract terms and operational processes.

Ingram Micro now has reach into approximately 170 countries. The Santa Ana, Calif., distributor said it works with 4,000 partners and 70 vendors including IBM, Cisco and Dell. Many of these companies have been busy expanding their global cloud reach as well: IBM recently unveiled a global cloud expansion of 15 new data centers across the globe, and Cisco last week said it will invest more than $1 billion to build a global cloud business over the next two years.

"Ingram Micro's proven expertise, experience and ability to execute as a master cloud services aggregator has accelerated our success and positioned us as one of the top 100 cloud providers," Dave said.

"Ingram Micro doesn't just gain a bigger footprint; it gives them clout as a bigger global cloud player helping it differentiate from its competition," said Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN Infotech, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “As an Ingram Micro partner, that gives me something to talk about with my customers.”

As part of Ingram Micro’s cloud expansion, channel chief Renee Bergeron’s role will now expand to include global cloud sales and marketing. Turker Sokullu, president and founder of recently acquired cloud hosting firm Softcom, now also serves as vice president cloud platform and product design at Ingram Micro.

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